WhatsApp removes video calling feature from Android beta release

Just days after WhatsApp pushed the video calling feature through an update to the Android beta users; the company has now pulled the feature from the release. It seems that the Facebook-owned messaging service is not ready to roll out the feature yet.

Last week, members of the Android beta program witnessed a new feature that allows video calling when tapped the usual voice calling button. The update comes with the version 2.16.80 bring the video calling functionality, however, the changelog clearly mentioned that the service was not activated and it was purely for testing purpose.

The new made rounds across the web and the company today rolled out another update tagged V2.16.81 to the Android beta users that removed the feature. There’s no official word on why the feature was taken off, it would be safe to assume that the feature was not ready even for beta use indicating that it may take some time till it rolls out to the public.

WhatsApp recently introduced a desktop app that was made available for both Windows and Mac platforms. The WhatsApp desktop client offers all the same features and shortcuts that users have already seen on the WhatsApp for Web app. However, the difference is the fact that the new app does not depend on the mobile version of the communication platform.

While there are no official announcement or rumors on when the feature will be available for general users, we assume that the roll out should happen sometime later this year. The company announced that it now has 1 billion monthly active users worldwide.